Monday, March 12, 2012

As you all know Marco passed away in Hesperia at my parents home. Just where he wanted to be, at home. All of the family was right there, helping bring down his fevers and making sure he was comfortable at all times. We held his hand and kissed him every moment we could. Till the end Marco had a great big hug for me and told me several times before he passed that he would miss us and loved us. He passed away very peacefully and for that I was so greatful that he didn't suffer too much at the end.

The kids and I miss him terribly and feel like he has gone on a two day fishing trip and is running late and he will be walking thru the front door anytime. But soon the reality hits and we are devasted to reawake to our reality, but we remember what Marco said not to cry we will be ok. He will always be right there for us no matter what.

We would like to thank everyone who came to celebrate Marco's life with us. I was amazing to see how many people were touched by Marco and how he made a difference in their lives. There were a lot of family and friends and then there were the ones whom we would hear Marco speak of but never met. It was nice to place a face with a name. The stories that everyone shared with the kids and myself were just what Marco knew would happen and wanted to happen.

Marco put a lot of love and time into planning out what he wanted for his funeral service. Marco the kids and I spent a lot time preparing for the celebration of life. We wanted to let Marco shine through the service and not focus on the disease. He said to much time had already been spent on that to dwell on it. Having to do all the running around and getting stuff done while he was alive was the cruelest thing I have had to do in my life. No one wants to have that task. But it brought us even closer together than we were.

There were tears of joy and tears of heartbreak that we had to deal with weeks before Marco passed away. But he made sure to let us know that it would be alright, we would miss him and be devastated for awhile but in the end we would all be okay. We would all spend quality time with him and he would always remind us that he and we would all be okay and we believed him.

Thank you again to all for all your well wishes and support throughout this time. We love you all!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Please inform those whom have kept Marco on their minds and in their hearts.

****Note: Please respect that all services will be Non-Religious****

Love you Marco.

In lieu offlowers, we have set up an account to help assist the family in these tryingtimes.There are 2options: PayPal via internet and WellsFargo Bank1. Go to www.paypal.com2. Click on send money3. Click on Friends and Family 4. Fill in account email marcosmemorialfund@hotmail.comOr visit a Wells Fargo Bank: Deposit donations to >> Marco Mendez Benefit Memorial Fund.Thank you to all for your thoughts and support throughout the years.Thank you to the doctors, nurses and care providers from City of Hope and Odyssey Hospice.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Hello again it is Ericka. I would like to inform you all that after a great battle and with lots of strength and courage Marco A. Mendez Castellanos has was relieved of suffering at about 08:27 a.m. We all stayed with him at all time. The Mora and Mendez Families are very fortunate to be able to have this time with him. It was hard and will be harder for those left behind. He left peacefully with everyone around him. We thank you Marco for being in our lives..for the love, knowledge, wisdom and humor you brought to us all. Please give the family some time. It is very hard. I am sure Marie will post when she is able. Thank you for your thoughts and for being a great support system to Marie, Nay and Matthew throughout this WHOLE crisis, that touched us all.

Love you Marcito! You are a greatest warrior in our eyes.. no doubt about it.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Dearest Family and Friends, This is Ericka- The wife's sister - I would like to confirm that Marco's fight against this beast is coming to an end and the Wife and Kids are requesting some personal space.No Visitors, No Phone Calls please. This is a very tough time and extreme concentration is necessary as Marco's health is rapidly deteriorating. We understand everyone is concerned and realizing the worst scenario is now here, but please understand they need this time alone and with immediate family only. Thank You. --hopefully you will not hear from me too soon, and by the way, Marco is looking forward to Dodger Stadium. :/

Our New Blog

What is Soft-Tissue Sarcoma?

Soft tissue sarcomas are cancerous tumors that originate in the soft tissues of the body.

These tissues include muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons and the lining of the joints. Marco's sarcoma started off as a tumor in his calf muscle in December 2007. The tumor was surgically removed, then treated with radiation.

The cancer later spread to his lung area, the tumors were also surgically removed, his body treated with chemo. He had three more tumors in his lungs, which they tried to shrink down with chemo.

Doctors had ruled out any more surgeries after chemo but they finally agreed.

On March 15, 2010 they removed the three tumors from his lungs, a section of the lung and diaphragm and three sections of ribs. Marco was in intensive care for over a week fighting an infection.

A CT scan showed worrisome signs that the cancer was back and it was confirmed with a PET scan.

Marco went through the maximum number of chemos to try to shrink that tumor. The tumor was not being responsive to the chemo in the shoulder area and there was a new tumor discovered near the aorta that was showing some response.

On Jan 15, 2011 Marco started 6 weeks of radiation aimed at his chest area, 5 days a week 30 min a day before surgery options were put on the table again.

After much debate, surgery was completed March 28, 2011. Marco underwent a painful recovery at home, only to discover over the Labor Day weekend that the sarcoma has spread to his brain.

Marco had brain surgery September 2011 to have the brain tumor removed. He also completed radiation to the operated area. On October 2011, Marco exhausted all of his treatment options at City of Hope. Marco entered home hospice care.

On March 3, 2012, Marco passed away at home surrounded by his family. You can read the posts and archive to read his story.